INDUSTRY IS TO be briefed this month on US Air Force proposals to upgrade its Fairchild A-10s, Lockheed Martin F-16s and F-117s and McDonnell Douglas F-15s, under its fighter-configuration plan (FICOP).
The FICOP has been revised for 1996. An earlier plan was deemed to be unaffordable within the upgrade funding expected between 1998 and 2003.
Industry sources say that the priority for FICOP 96 is reduced cost of ownership, with increased combat capability coming second. The plan is expected to present a menu of upgrades for each aircraft and mission.
It is considered likely that the upgrades will be staggered so that the funding can be spread over several years.
Earlier versions of the plan had envisaged upgrading F-16s assigned to night-attack missions with low-drag internal-targeting systems. This would consist of a nose-mounted infra-red sensor integrated with the radar, to replace the LANTIRN targeting pod.
It is now considered likely that the USAF will opt instead for a low-drag, second-generation, version of the LANTIRN pod now under development by Lockheed Martin.
F-15s and F-16s are apparently earmarked to receive the Link 16 tactical data-link system. The favoured option is believed to be the NATO multi-function information-distribution system terminal under development by a GEC-Marconi-led team, but TRW is offering a repackaged version of its communication/navigation/identification system for the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22, called the integrated modular avionics.
Another FICOP option is thought to be the joint helmet-mounted cuing system (JHMCS), which is planned to be operational on the F-15 in mid-2000 and on the F-16 in mid-2002.
Development of the JHMCS is scheduled to begin before the end of 1996.
Source: Flight International
